Bar Americano wants you to buy a stranger a drink

Author: Harriet Davidson and Emma Breheny
Photography: Alicia Taylor

12:00AM, Sep 5, 2017

It's the random acts of kindness that stick in your mind, often
delivered by a stranger with no expectation of reward. But what if
those gestures were part of a city's culture? In Naples they are,
and it could catch on in Melbourne if Bar Americano owner Matt Bax has his way.

Having recently visited Naples, Bax was reminded of the
tradition of caffè sospeso, the suspended coffee, a practice where
those feeling flush will pay for two coffees at the espresso bar so
the next person in need gets a freebie. Bax felt that his own city
was becoming more inconsiderate and decided to bring the concept
home with him.

"Just because we are growing up into a big crowded city doesn't
mean our values must deteriorate," he says.

Last week, Bar Americano introduced a suspended drinks list so
patrons can gift a fellow Melburnian an espresso, house Negroni or
Amaro Americano. Those who choose to partake will pay standard bar
prices for their own drink, but the second drink is subsidised by
the bar to encourage people to spread the love. So far the Negroni
- the most expensive of the three - has been the most popular
choice, a promising sign for Bax's civic-minded move.

The pay-it-forward concept has been seen at other venues around
the country, with many cafés giving customers the chance to
purchase an extra coffee for those in need. At Rosa's Fresh Pizza
in Philadelphia, the Italian tradition has inspired 'pay-it-forward
pizza', helping to feed thousands of homeless people.

Bax explains that Bar Americano's system may only involve one
beverage, but it's an investment into a better society. It's the
little things, right?